Budget harmonization and challenges: understanding the competence of professionals in the budget process for structural and policy reforms in public libraries

Abstract

PurposeIn the past, the field of public libraries proved to be a neglected area of government in terms of allocating handsome budgets for adequate services and developing infrastructure. The aim of this research is (1) to understand the level of library professionals and associated challenges in the preparation and implementation of the budget in public libraries and (2) to analyze the annual grand and regular library budget allocated to public libraries.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature search was carried out from work published in the past – the quantitative study based on a structured research questionnaire followed by the five-point Likert scale. The primary data were collected by distributing printed questionnaires among the library professionals serving in the directorate of public libraries and its suboffices. The secondary data “Budget Grand” for seven years (2009–2015) and the regular budget for two years (2015–2016) were collected from seven public libraries, and data on the district population and literacy rate were obtained from the provincial bureau of statistics. The authors used the one-way ANOVA on primary data to determine the average difference between samples and descriptive statistics on secondary data.FindingsSurvey results show that budgeting is a useful tool for predicting the future, controlling resources and improving employee performance and departmental levels. The findings disclosed that the annual budget review includes guidelines for implementation without adequate discussion and guidance for overcoming challenges. In addition to increasing print and database resources, currency fluctuations, unfair resource allocation and budgeting processes proved to be a potential obstacle to the execution of the library budget. Moreover, library material usage and regular membership are decreasing compared to literacy rates in each district of the province. It also turned out that the limited resources in a library compared to the population and the insufficient budget for operation, maintenance and other library processes posed another challenge for the administration.Practical implicationsThe results, which are based on the primary data of experts and the secondary data on the library budget, can help the directorate of public libraries to push ahead with budgetary reforms and overcome challenges.Social implicationsThis article outlines some basic steps for librarians, publishers and sellers to cope with changes caused by currency fluctuations and falling budget pressures. Given the regional population, literacy gaps and the current state of libraries, the results could also cause the government to expand the public library network across the province.Originality/valueThe study builds upon the qualitative method using a questionnaire and on the secondary data for an in-depth understanding of the whole budgetary process. This comprehensive coverage of the budgeting process provides professionals with useful information in preparing a balanced budget for public libraries.

Knowledge-based society and emerging disciplines: a correlation of academic performance

“…Duan and Xiong (2017) discovered that the published articles on the WOS are a pure source for a comparative study of research productivity. Therefore, given its increasing importance, modern research shows that these resources should be provided in an integrated way to better serve academic researchers in higher education (Rafi et al , 2020). Atakan et al (2008) recommended observing the increasing trend of scientists’ preference for electronic resources when designing future university management policies to evaluate intellectual growth policies and strategies.…”

“…Ahmed and Amjad (2014) stated that many Pakistani universities offered students access to the online database of the HEC Digital Library. Recent research shows that because of the lack of integration mechanisms, the databases accessed by HEC have not been widely used (Rafi et al , 2020). For this purpose, Islam et al (2020) recommended the implementation of big data analyses to improve the skills of the service staff and the organizational effectiveness in scientific libraries.…”

“…Students choose a database based on their name or have learned about it in information courses, reference sessions or with their professors (Coombs, 2005). Because the information explosion is skyrocketing and digital science needs a new model for better viewing the connected and integrated digital library platform (Montoya, 2017; Rafi et al , 2020). University libraries in the age of information explosion are working to improve electronic resource management (Hussain and Abalkhail, 2013).…”

“…In connection with the scientific work required for various disciplines, electronic resources are increasingly being used in academic libraries. The prices for subscriptions to magazines and online databases increase from year to year (Rafi et al , 2020). Given the dynamic role of libraries, many critics criticize libraries for changing their role from printed to electronic formats, which is expensive and allows for limited subscriptions.…”

“…Moreover, the omnipresence and multiple advantages of sourcing, managing, preserving, disseminating and less human cost, e-resources outperformed printed materials. On the other hand, the currency devaluation and rising costs of the newly added database have increased the burden of providing adequate funding for publishers (Rafi et al , 2020). In this case, the decision to maintain database abstraction and indexing over limited financial resources can ensure the quality of information to satisfy the readers (Dahlen and Hanson, 2017).…”